CLAIM: Only the Irish language is banned in courts in Northern Ireland.
CONCLUSION: False. English is the working language of court proceedings in Northern Ireland; interpretation and translation services are provided for those who do not speak or understand English. Whether this policy is informed by the Penal Laws is currently contested. Continue reading Is Irish the only language banned in Northern Ireland courts?
CLAIM: Over 29,000 incidents of domestic violence and abuse took place in Northern Ireland in 2017.
CONCLUSION: Accurate. Continue reading Were there over 29,000 cases of domestic violence and abuse in 2016-17?
CLAIM: Seventy percent of people in Northern Ireland and the majority of its Assembly Members support marriage equality for LGBT couples.
CONCLUSION: Accurate. Continue reading Is there majority support for marriage equality?
CLAIM: There is a high level of public support for restorative justice as a method of dealing with young offenders.
CONCLUSION: According to surveys collected by NISRA and by the Public Prosecution Service, a majority of respondents support either restorative justice or diversionary options generally. Continue reading Is there a high level of support for restorative justice?
CLAIM: “Almost half of criminals released from prison in Northern Ireland went on to re-offend within 12 months of being freed.”
CONCLUSION: The claim is accurate. However, while the article does break down re-offending rates among criminals released from prison, the majority of offenders receive sentences that do not require time in prison. The re-offending rate for Northern Ireland in 2012/13 was 18.5% for all offenders, which is similar to the rate documented in previous years, as well as in England & Wales. Continue reading Do half of freed criminals reoffend within a year?
CLAIM: One in four women in Northern Ireland have at some point in their lives have been a victim of domestic violence.
CONCLUSION: True. Approximately one in four women in Northern Ireland are estimated to have been victims of domestic violence. Continue reading Are 1 in 4 women in Northern Ireland victims of domestic violence?
